The Commodore 64 is touted as the best-selling home computer model of all time according to details of the computer's history on Commodore.ca, a fan community centered on classic computers of the era. Shipped to retailers in August of 1982, the Commodore 64 had 64 KB of RAM, 16 color graphics, and a 6510 processor clocked at 0.9875 MHz all for the low retail price of $595 (or $1,495.23 in today's dollars after inflation). A cartridge-based system (similar to that of home consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System) allowed users to plug in programs easily. The company estimated that it shipped over 17 million units of the computer in its lifetime.

Although it was a general purpose computer, the Commodore 64 had gaming capabilities as well. Titles or franchises such as Bubble Bobble, Prince of Persia, and Ultima all had C64 versions available on the platform. With today's announcement, some of those games will have a chance to get into the hands of modern gamers in a compact package stylized after the classic console.

Developed by Retro Games Ltd. and distributed by Koch Media, THEC64 mini will feature 64 games in total (although only 37 are currently listed on the website at the time of writing). THEC64 Mini comes with a 5 foot (1.5 meters) wired joystick, a 4 foot (1.2 meters) USB charging cable, and a 4 foot HDMI cable. A save game function is built into the console, and gamers looking for a bit of extra retro flair can apply a pixel filter with pixel-perfect, CRT, and scanline options available. A USB keyboard can be plugged into the console to suit your preferred input device if you so desire.

THEC64 Mini will be available in retail stores sometime in early 2018 for $69.99 or your regional equivalent.

What do you think of THEC64 Mini? Do you think the catalog of listed games will have the same kind of appeal as that of other miniature consoles? What's your favorite Commodore 64 game? Let us know in the comments below!

About the Author

I've had a controller in my hand since I was 4 and I haven't stopped gaming since. CCGs, Tabletop Games, Pen & Paper RPGs - I've tried a whole bunch of stuff over the years and I'm always looking to try more!